www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Giving to beggars

Hello,
I hope this is in the right forum.
I was approached by a couple today, who said "Ma'am can you help out the homeless today". I was in the middle of a shopping mall parking lot, going through my purse. They caught me off guard, and as I was looking at them, thinking what to do (cash? no, not a godo idea... food?), the woman said in a sarcastic tone "Thanks a lot" and left. They were wearing sunglasses and I couldn't really see their faces. I would have offered to buy them lunch (food shop was right there) but before I could even speak they left.
I know everyone has a duty to help those less fortunate who are in need. I think one also has to be smart, though. I do not think it's wise to hand out cash on the street. Or, is it, and leave it up to God how the person will use it or where they will go from there? How much do you give? My priest recently gave a wonderful sermon on giving, but how it only matters if your heart is in it. As in, what happens to the people to whom my money goes? Stop and ask the person's name. This also raises a safety issue, especially for femals. So much to think about!
My saint, St. Juliana, is a wonderful example of how I would like to lead my life. She was merciful and gave to the poor.
I would love to hear what everyone else thinks about this topic and what you usually do.

One thing is to help the poor and a different thing is to give money to mafias. It's true that there are thousands of poor and miserable people, but those who're really poor and honest would only beg for some time until they can get a job, and they will try to work so that they can earn money.

The problem is that the vast majority of those who beg in the streets do so because this has become a way of life, it's become "their job" and they enjoy it. There are some places in Mexico where you can find unofficial "trade unions" of beggars, you can even "rent" children from their parents (this means you go there, pay 30 USD to their moms and you can take a child with you to beg in the streets, all he can get is yours!). Some children are actually very good actors (they can fake disabilities very well).

There are cities where local authorities even pay beggars a wage. The main leaders of those who beg in the streets have become incredibly wealthy (they own houses, land, they have bank accounts, and so on). This is absolutely abominable.

It's for this reason that the best thing you can do is not to give money to these social parasites.

If you want to help the poor, do it through a trustable foundation or a charitable religious organization, or much better help a direct action association (this is a new NGO concept of young people who unite and go to villages to give people food, help them to develop their communities, etc.).

I agree with Mexican's response.

But it all depends. Sadly, with some experience one can usually learn to determine with reasonable accuracy who is the professional beggar and who is really in need.

When I come across a beggar I generally assess the person seeking and make a gut decision. I generally don't regret it. I usually give just enough for a meal ($5) but sometimes more and sometime less, depending on what I feel led to do in the specific situation.

Yes, there have been times when I have given to the guy on the street who approaches when the traffic light turns red. And then see him still there six months later. And then watch him get probably $10 from 2 or 3 of the 10 stopped cars he managed to get something from while the light was red (in just about a minute!). But if he is not poor, or not in a situation that requires begging (i.e., it is a very easy way for him to get money), then he will have to explain himself when he stands before the Lord. I will have done what was right, given what I knew at the time.

I do know one person who carries Gift Cards from McDonald's and passes them out. A good idea but something I would never get around to doing.

While there was a crowd of refugees in the city, one of the strangers, noticing John's remarkable sympathy, determined to test the blessed man (John the Almsgiver, patriarch of Alexandria, 610–619). So he put on old clothes and approached him as he was on his way to visit the sick in the hospitals (for he did this two or three times a week) and said to him, "Have mercy on me for I have been a prisoner of war."

John said to his purse-bearer, "Give him six nomismata." After the man had received these he went off, changed his clothes, met John again in another street, and falling at his feet said, "Have pity on me for I am in want." The Patriarch again said to his purse-bearer, "Give him six nomismata." As he went away the purse-bearer whispered in the Patriarch's ear, "By your prayers, master, this same man has had alms from you twice over!" But the Patriarch pretended not to understand.

Soon the man came again for the third time to ask for money and the attendant, carrying the gold, nudged the Patriarch to let him know that it was the same man, whereupon the truly merciful and beloved of God said, "Give him twelve nomismata, for perchance it is my Christ and He is here to test me."

Leontius, Life of St. John the Almsgiver, 9

I always err on the side of caution and give money to whomever asks for it.

Worst case scenario is I'm out a couple dollars and the fella's going to blow it on booze or whatever.

That to me is preferable to the real worst case scenario, namely that I denied someone truly in need.

Alexis

Pittsburgh has actually put up ads on the trolley and bus system requesting that money not be given to panhandlers and donations be made to the city's homeless shelters instead. I think that is quite a smart approach, the homeless are not denied and you know your money isn't being used for drugs or alcohol.

Fr. Deacon Lance

In giving alms to the poor, we have an obligation to ensure that what we gives does good but not harm. In this country, the majority of those who beg have serious problems, whether alcoholism, drug addiction or mental illness. If you give these people money, usually they will spend it in ways that cause them personal harm. Rather than give someone money, if he tells me he is hungry I offer to buy him some food. If he is cold, I offer to take him to a shelter, or to buy him a cup of coffee, or even a pair of gloves. Most of them turn me down cold--they want the money. A few look at me as though I was insane. A handful gratefully accept what is offered.

I think you acted by wisely and correctly!
Also it can be easy to offer them money just to get rid of them, it takes time to buy them food or offer them their needs in this way.
Stephanos I
Many will refuse, when you find a person who says ok i will take some food you know youve helped someone who is truly hungry.

Also be attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking in your heart.
I remember once I was going to pass by a hitch hiker, to whom I NEVER give a ride and I hear the Lord say, stop assist him.
He smelt just awful and was extremely dirty. And as I drove I heard the Lord say give him ALL the money in your pocket. (The only time I have given out cash). As I did that he profusely thanked me and asked that I would drop him off a a grocery store, because he said he hadnt eaten in several days. The point was he did no ask but it was God who met his need.

Further to what StuartK said, I was sitting outside a London cafe with a sandwich when a beggar came over to me and asked if I was finished with it. Because he obviously wanting food, I said that I was still eating but would give him money for a sandwich of his own.

Within ten minutes, he was walking down the street with two cans of the cheapest, highest-alcohol-volume lager you can buy.

I know I should have just bought the food myself and given it to him, but I figured considering his approach was to ask me for my food (and NOT to ask for money), he was a safe bet.

Unfortunately, as I have so often been when giving on the street, I was wrong.

In Europe, beggars are extremely aggressive, frequently organized, occasionally threatening. In Paris, I was on the Champs Elysee when I was accosted by a woman carrying what looked like a baby and accompanied by a young girl. The woman approached me for money, and when I reached for my wallet, she actually tossed the baby at me, while the girl made a grab for my wallet. Their timing was off, because the girl moved before the woman tossed, and I half-turned to protect my wallet, so the baby flew by me and landed on the sidewalk. It was a doll, they were thieves, and took to their heels, while I resolved to not fall for that trick again.

Oddly enough, most of the beggars I saw were in Western Europe, while in Eastern Europe I was generally left alone. I was expecting trouble in Romania (the concierge at the hotel was very concerned that I stay out of bad parts of the city, but I went, anyway) because I followed my daughter's three rules:

1. Don't drink the water
2. Don't eat the meat.
3. Don't talk to gypsies.

Dear Father,

This is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing it. How blessed you both were by God...

In Christ,
Alice

Not all beggars are poor!

Amado

Indeed not! In some countries, beggars run a highly organized extortion racket. Even in this country, there are "professional" beggars who pull in upwards of $300 per day. A journalist a few years back did a story on this, begging for a living for a couple of months, and discovering to his chagrin that he was making more money panhandling than he was as a reporter. But Arthur Conan Doyle already knew that when he wrote the Sherlock Holms story, "The Adventure of the Twisted Man".

Those beggars who are poor, in this country, at least, are poor because they suffer from some underlying pathology, whether it is alcoholism, drug addiction or mental illness (often all three), which causes their money to go out as quickly as it comes in.

Quite seriously, the gypsies I have come across in Lourdes run a real racket.

It's one thing to beg on one's own 'home' streets, insofar as it may indicate a genuine and spontaneous need; but to travel deliberately to a pilgrimage site and to sit in the street, hands folded and wrapped in rosary beads, with faces that could have been drawn from a Dickens novel and shoes that came off the shelves of Madrid's finest shoe stores, is appallingly cynical.

When confronted with panhandlers, it's pretty easy up here to tell the real in-need kinds from the "looking for easy money" kind...

Offer them your leftovers from eating out. I've seen several refuse. But the ones who really are hungry will often leap at the chance.

Or invite them to meet you at the nearest McD's or BK... and buy them a burger and coffee.

Never give money.